'Ball Entirely in UK Court' to Make Progress in Brexit Talks

London/Brussels - Prime Minister Theresa May will try to make progress in Brexit talks, telling European negotiators the next move is theirs, even as Tory plots dim the chances she will survive long enough to cut the final deal.

The EU, however, lobbed the ball straight back.

"There has been, so far, no solution found on step one, which is the divorce proceedings, so the ball is entirely in the UK's court for the rest to happen", said Margaritis Schinas, the European Commission's chief spokesman.

The future of opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn looked shaky on Sunday after two members of his top team quit and others seemed set to follow over his handling of Britain's European Union referendum.

Mr Johnson had said he was "fully behind" the PM's Florence speech last month - created to break the deadlock in Brexit negotiations - and she should "hold him to that", Ms Davidson added.

"The truth is the overwhelming majority of Conservative MPs, the truth is the entirety of the cabinet, the truth is the overwhelming majority of people, want the prime minister to concentrate on doing the job that 14 million people elected her to do earlier this year", said United Kingdom environment secretary Michael Gove, who had been one of the leadership contenders for the Conservatives alongside May when David Cameron exited 10, Downing Street after the Brexit vote last year.

The EU is playing a "game" by stalling Brexit talks in a row over the divorce bill and should reach a "speedy" deal with Britain, Denmark's finance minister has said.

Last week, two sources told Reuters that Japanese carmaker Toyota (7203.T) meant to build the next version of its Auris auto at its British vehicle plant on the assumption that the government secures a transitional Brexit deal in a decision due by the end of the year.

Theresa May has refused to say whether the government has received secret legal advice stating that Brexit could still be stopped before March 2019.

According to a statement that has been released to the press ahead of a speech she will make this week, May will admit that "progress will not always be smooth".

Jensen called for compromise, saying "this will never be a 100 percent win for one side or the other side". But EU leaders have so far resisted that call.

Supporters of a so-called hard Brexit meanwhile turned their fire on UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond, with Tory lawmaker Bernard Jenkin writing in the Guardian that the Treasury was "legitimising European Union threats of economic disruption".

"From her point of view, the transitional agreement is non-negotiable. business should think of the two-year period as assured". But I am optimistic we will receive a positive response.Because what we are seeking is not just the best possible deal for us - but also the best possible deal for our European friends too.

Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn accused the government of making a mess of the Brexit negotiations.

Sir John said the country "has had enough" of the "disloyal behaviour we have witnessed over recent weeks". Some are pressuring her to demote Johnson from his highly visible post of foreign secretary.